Letter: Time to relocate train depot

Friday

Aug 22, 2014 at 11:10 AM

To the editor:I just read the article in the Danvers Herald about the money awarded to Danvers for the relocation and restoration of the last of what once were nine depots in the town. This is great news, but even so, there is a danger that special interest groups will derail the project.The proposed move to the Hobart Street Parking Lot makes the most sense. It is the shortest distance from the present location of the building, it is right on the Rail Trail, and it would be opposite the already preserved freight house on the corner of Hobart and Charter streets. Perfect!The "business community" tell us that they need all the parking spaces in that lot. I say, "baloney!" If you drive by there any day of the week, the lot is only about half full at any one time. The "green belt" area in the lot takes up more spaces than would the depot footprint. Besides, there is also streetside parking along both sides of Hobart Street. The number of businesses there are limited to just a few small shops and a Chinese restaurant. So certainly there would still be adequate parking if the depot were moved to the lot, right up next to the Rail Trail. The green belt area could be reduced in size to make up more parking spaces.One need only take a ride to Bedford to see what can be done in such a situation. There, the famed Minuteman Bikeway terminates at what once was the railroad station. Starting 20 years ago, the town and private donors got together to rehabilitate the former railroad freight house and depot into a "welcome center" for users of the bikeway. It includes a refreshment shop, gift shop, rail history exhibit, and, best of all, a public lavatory. As if that were not enough, they also purchased a derelict Budd railcar from the MBTA and totally restored it both inside and out, and it is on display on a short section of track next to the building. It is open during normal business hours, and is even rented out for special events and private parties. So it is self-sustaining and perpetuates the train history of the entire former Lexington Branch. (Google: Friends of Bedford Depot Park)The same could be done in Danvers if there is the will to do it. Preservationists must step forward and make themselves heard, or else the business community and the developers will sink the project before it even begins. This probably is the last opportunity to do something meaningful with the Danvers railroad depot. Let's not drop the ball again. — Richard W. Symmes, former curator of the Walker Transportation Collection, Beverly Historical Society, Frankwood Avenue, Beverly